Improvement in guides for sewing-machines



I J. S. ALTER.

Sewing-Machine Guide.

Patented May 3, 1870.

lsufficient to retain it in its proper place.

NrrED STATES J. S. ALTER, OF LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS.

IMPROVEMENT IN GUIDES FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 102,469, dated May 3, 1870.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. S. ALTER, of Leavenworth, in the'county of Leavenworth and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Sewing -Machines, which I denominate the Combined Gage and Plaiter and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the combined arrangement of gage and plaiter as fixed for attachment and operation. Fig. 2 represents the bottom plate or gage. Fig. 3 is a view of the adjustable sliding plate or cloth-holder. Fig. at represents the washer detached. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the coiled steel spring; and Fig. 6, ahorizontal view of female screw, which, encircling said coiled spring and being screwed down,firmly grasps and holds all together during the operation of sewing.

My invention consists in the construction, as hereinafter described, of an adjustable gageplate with a cloth-holder, so as to form avaluable attachment for sewing-machines, particularly in making shirt-bosoms or similar work. It is capable of attachment to any of the standard sewing-machines,and in operation will be found to greatly facilitate the labor of plaiting or folding any desired width of plait.

Fig. 1 of the drawings shows my improvement as arranged for attachment and operation on a sewing-machine having the front movement, the upper plate being adjustable so as to regulate the size of plait, and by the controlling office of the grooves on its under side the cloth or other material being sewed is drawn, kept, or held to its place. In said Fig. 1, A is the bottom plate or gage, and B is the sliding plate or cloth-holder. a a a a represent the depressions or grooves pressed into the upper surface of the end of said sliding plate, so that their under projecting parts shall serve as clamps or dogs, exerting a draw ing force on the material being sewed just y my combined arrangement, herein described, the pressure upon the material can also be regulated by the nut 0, which fits a screw, 12,

permanently fixed in the bottom plate and encircled by a coiled steel spring, Fig. 5," which rests upon a washer, 0, the whole forming a much needed improvement in the adjuncts of machinery for the speedymanufacture of shirtbosoms, tucks, and work of that class.

Fig. 2 represents the bottom plate, A, the shoulders for holding the sliding plate or clothholder B, and the screw b, around which the coiled spring, Fig. 5, and washer C are to be affixed, as in Fig. 1, and is covered by the nut C.

Fig. 3 represents the sliding plate B detached, showing the plaiting-scale and depressions a a a a and the washer c, and ready to be placed in position across the bottom plate, A, after which the coiled spring is put on the screw over washer c and the pressure regulated by means of the nut O and screw 1).

Fig. 4 is a detached front view of washer c.

Fig. 5 is a side view, in perspective, of the coiled spring, and Fig. 6 represents a side view of the but 0 for regulating the adjustment of the gage or pressure upon the material being sewed.

The peculiarity and advantage of my improvement consists, further, in its adaptability to any otthe sewing-machines having the side movement, and the combination of gage and plaiter needs only to be made in reverse form from that shown in the drawings to be at once. afiixed to any sewing-machine, all the parts being admirably suited to the purpose, and by their conjoint operation effecting a very great saving of time in manufacturing shirt-bosoms, plaits, and tucks.

My improved attachment may be made of brass, steel, or any of the hard metals known to the trade, or any other suitable material, and when adjusted is held in place or fastened by the usual gagescrew, accompanying all sewing-machines, through the slot made in the bottom plate, A, and is thus capable of being moved and fastened either way to accommodate the desired width of fold or plait, and govern the grasp of the cloth-holder and guide the material being sewed. By the action of the coiled spring, Fig. 5, and nut C the pressure is regulated on the material being sewed, the width of the plait being regulated by the sliding plate B.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to and operating substantially as and for the pursecnre by Letters Patent, is-- d pose described.

The combination of the plate A provide with the slot, the guiding-projections, and the ALTER" screw 1), the plate B, provided with the adj nst- Witnesses: ing-slot, the scale, and the depressions a, the FRANCIS S. DRAKE, nut O, washer c, and the spring, all constructed T. M. OBRIEN. 

